Themes in Archaeological Theory and Practice
| Module title | Themes in Archaeological Theory and Practice |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARCM120 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Ioana Oltean (Convenor) Professor Marisa Lazzari (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 24 |
|---|
Module description
This module aims at providing you with a range of analytical and interpretative skills through the exploration of theoretical and methodological approaches to contemporary archaeological research. This will be achieved through lectures and class discussions, where we will have the chance to examine in detail different perspectives and approaches through a wide range of case studies. You will be encouraged to think about the integrated nature of theory and practice in archaeological research, and to develop your critical analytical skills through the examination and discussion of a variety of approaches in a wide range of settings.
Knowledge of archaeological theory and methods is essential for anyone entering research in archaeology. Critical analytical and interpretative skills deriving from the systematic study of these can also be useful for professional and personal development within a wider framework.
Module aims - intentions of the module
- To provide knowledge of recent archaeological theory and methods.
- To provide you with critical analytical skills to discuss and assess current applications of archaeological theory and method to particular case studies.
- To provide you with a first experience with a range of analytical skills applied to archaeological research through the discussion of case studies and ongoing research projects.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Develop knowledge and appreciation of theoretical approaches that are required for the specific tasks set in the module
- 2. Develop knowledge and appreciation of methodological approaches that are required for the specific tasks set in the module
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Demonstrate familiarity with specific skills relating to data and practice in archaeological research
- 4. Show familiarity with a wide range of theoretical approaches in the discipline, and discern their applicability in a range of contexts
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Contribute to group discussions in a collaborative environment, either face-to-face or remotely via online platforms
- 6. Present developed skills in writing and summarising arguments
- 7. Present developed skills in oral presentations
- 8. Present advanced critical analytical skills of both specific case studies and broader thematic issues
Syllabus plan
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 130 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 12 | Lecture content/discussion events (comparable to 6 x 2 hour sessions) |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 8 | Student led-discussion (equivalent to 4 x 2 hour seminars) |
| Guided independent study | 130 | Independent study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay draft plan, plus indicative bibliography | 500 words (max) plus indicative bibliography | 1-4, 6 | Verbal or written feedback |
| Seminar critique (verbal ) with optional audiovisual support, followed by participation in class) | 10 minutes, plus discussion participation | 1-5 | Verbal feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 100 | 4000 words | 1, 3-4, 6, 8 | Mark and written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay (4000 words) | Essay (4000 words) (100%) | 1, 3-4, 6, 8 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- Bentley, A., H. Maschner & C. Chippindale. 2008. Handbook of Archaeological Theories. Altamira Press
- David, B. and J Thomas. 2012. Handbook of Landscape Archaeology. Routledge.
- Hodder, I. 2012. Archaeological Theory Today. Polity
- Johnson, M. 2010. Archaeological Theory: An Introduction (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
- Lydon, J. and U Rizvi. 2010. Handbook of Postcolonial Archaeology. Routledge
- Meskell, L. and R. McGuire. 2004. A Companion to Social Archaeology. Blackwell
- Vincent, M.L et al. (eds) . 2018. Heritage and archaeology in the digital age: acquisition, curation and dissemination of spatial cultural heritage data. Springer
- Verhagen, P. et al. 2019. Modelling of Pathways and Movement Networks in Archaeology: An Overview of Current Approaches. In Verhagen, P. et.al (eds). Finding the Limits of the Limes. Computational Social Sciences. Springer.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 10/01/2017 |
| Last revision date | 30/01/2025 |
